Worst Politician of The Year: Sal Vega
Mayor of West New York, Sal Vega
Yeah, you guessed it! I mean how could he not be? The guy raised taxes 47% (perhaps more in the latest quarter). He showed disregard for the feelings of the residents of West New York when he did not come out and took responsibility for his fiscal mess, blaming past administrations for his destructive tax policies. Especifcally pointing the finger to Congressman Albio Sires, a man who didn’t raised taxes in 12 years in West New York, fixed the streets, took care of the senior citizens and was always polite and courteous to his constituency. Vega blamed his fiscal and eventually political mess on a man who entrusted him with the mayorship of the city he loves.
That’s how he paid his friend and godfather.
As soon as he took power he turned against Congressman Sires policies. He placed his political hacks in powerful positions, eliminating anyone who stood in his path. Is there something wrong with that? No. In love and war and politics everything is allowed. However, betrayal is always despised. When you betray the man who entrusted you with all his achievements you sink to the lower depths. And no matter how long you’ve betrayed Karma will come back like a boomerang.
It’s no surprise that Vega had turned against Congressman Sires. He had shown his true face when he supported Union City Mayor Brian Stack for the New Jersey Senate only to betray him weeks later, launching the dirtiest NJ Senate campaign in Hudson County history.
As soon as he took power the debacle began. He raised taxes 47% in 2009.
Thousands protested along Dr. Roque and Dr. Wiley in the streets of the city.
Dr. Felix Roque took it upon himself to lead a recall effort against Vega.
In less than a year in power the streets of West New York looked like a war zone.
A beautiful monument-fountain that Albio Sires had built in memory of the 911 victims didn’t even have water in the Summer.
Many teachers fearfully complained of lack of materials to teach.
Vega replaced prosperity with fear, and West New York, scarcely 10 minutes from the most important city in the world, became a banana republic.
We have documented Vega’s mess in detail in this site. His administration has brought high taxes, and caused great distress to West New York. Compared to other bad mayors, if we take into consideration the short time that Sal Vega has been in power, Sal Vega deserves the title of worst mayor in history but since we don’t carry his vindictive banner we settle for his exit from power and a well earned Worst Politician title.
As the new decade makes its entrance thousands of West New York voters hope that Silverio “Sal” Vega makes his exit, and for good. A few days ago Dr. Felix Roque felt short of the signatures required to make the recall a reality but this is not final. Roque’s lawyers feel that they can overturn the Town Clerk’s decision and move on to an election within two months. If it happens the Vega Nightmare will be history but he will always remain in our blog as the worst politician of 2009.
